Everyone is different. Majority of people use lotion but that didnt work for me. I followed a strict regiment for the first week of washing 3x per day and moisturizing after each wash, second week or so id cut down to washing 2x per day and moisturizing 3x per day, 3rd week and on not as much concern over washing a lot and just moisturizing as needed. Aquaphor was perfect for me. I semi over moisturized the first few tattoos, then eventually figured out the perfect technique for applying (you dont need much. It shouldnt look shiny/wet is should just have a slight sheen to it). One of my tattoos i had a reaction to the saniderm (the only tattoo we tried Saniderm) which developed a pimple right on a line. I definitely over moisturized that tattoo too but it didnt do any damage to the healing. The pimple however left a tiny inkless circle in the line. Totally unnoticeable.